Friday, August 15, 2008

Community Silent Over City Commissioner's Derogatory Comments

While many focused on the nepotism debate brought to light recently due to a nasty diatribe submitted by Commissioner Charlie Atkinson to CafeBrownsville.Com, we failed to see another big issue.

That being said, this submitted comment to my Nepotism post addresses it:

M,

As an interested observer, there is one point to make, well outside of the scope of this debate.

You have an elected representative of a major city in the United States, openly using derogatory slurs against a historically discriminated minority group. He hammers the point continuously by questioning the masculinity of his target.

23 Comments:

That actually made me cry - I have been around long enough to know the professionals in this town who are gay will not compromise a penny of their own money to speak out on this issue - again their wives might get upset - the younger crowd have no idea what we went through so they could have the openness they have today.

In 1991 I was the first lawyer to advertise in the gay press in Dallas - I also signed up to list my business in a full page ad for National Coming Out Day which was to appear in the Dallas Morning News - The Dallas Morning News refused our money and only later published the ad after threat of litigation. It has been a long hard battle.

While I feel extreme shame for Brownsville at this moment, I feel even more shame for the gay community - an accountant I know at my gym told me to not make waves - I asked him how he could remain silent - his answer was I have a wife and kid to support - I said since you are already cheating on your wife why would I expect you to support your own freedom - he stormed out of the locker room.

The decision by the Herald to not cover this story has me pissed. I am taking it to the Board of Directors for Freedom Communications -

I am considering going Tuesday night - my problem is my health is so shot - they cannot seem to get enough oxygen to my brain and I am a walking zombie most of the time - I am certain this time I will be arrested for disorderly conduct if I appear - It will not be play acting this time like last time - these Commissioners are pigs -

I am contemplating a lawsuit asking that the Court declare Brownsville hostile to gays and lesbians, based on the City Commissions failure to issue a public rebuke of Atkinson. It is an interesting question, which could prove quite costly to the imagine of the city.

I unfortunately understand that this City COmmission just assume nuke the city and all of its residents before it allows itself to be bound by the law or a moral compass

complacency is complicity and complicity is the same as pulling the switch

I am taking my complaint beyond the Port Director, Michael Freeman - I want to make sure CBP understand that if they do anything to cover-up my demand for an investigation Freeman will find himself along with his bosses in federal court in DC.

Wow Bobby, I love your motivation. The only thing is that I did not make those comments to any one group or yourself. I apologize if the word faggot insulted you but you must be enlightened to what I meant. The word faggot in the dictionary means a charred burnt stick. We all know that Chris Davis is as skinny as a twig. With his blog "sparking" controversy, the word fit for him. I believe he is burnt with the Rodriguez family. He has no scrupples and it comes back to hurt people. Bobby, like I said, if you felt offended, I'm sorry but it was directed toward Chris Davis and it fits him well. Don't be a hater. I have gay and lesbian friends who have called me and they are fine with what I wrote because they can see that I am constantly being attacked by someone who can't even vote in Brownsville. Bobby, at work, I don't ask people about their sexuality. I ask their citizenship and that is about it. Any person could file a complaint if I asked questions that didn't pertain to my duties. Officers could get into a lot of trouble if they did. I've worked there over eleven years and have never gotten in trouble for discriminating against the gay community. I respect their views and rights. As to the conflict of interest with my brother, well, Chris Davis made comments about my family but took it off. Why did he do that? Maybe to look like the victim? Maybe to be one-sided like he has been? He took it off because it depits himself as someone who is constantly instigating. What a wuss!! Oh, can I say that? I don't kow know. Let's asked Chris Davis. He has the meaning of the word "handicapped", "futile", etc. I guess he he should know the dictionary meaning for the word faggot but why offer it when you are doing exactly what he wants you to do. Don't be used Bobby.

Before I even appointed my brother I checked with legal counsel and they gave me the o.k. Chris challenged it with the appointment of my sister to a committee a year ago. Where have all of you been? Both my brother and my sister have their masters degree and are sharp individuals who are fair. They are people I trust to do the right thing even if it meant to go against my beliefs. Anyone who knows my family know that we play fair and put out 100%. I don't regret the appointment. Brownsville deserves a smart individual like my brother who will be getting nothing for putting in the time he will have to put in. Like I said before, why doesn't anybody question Chris Davis and the nepotism at BISD. He gets into the games free. They provide food and drinks for him at taxpayer expense. He is Joe rods son-in-law. Prob gets paid for announcing the games as well. If that isn't nepotism then I don't know what is. He is being compensated for his time. Are people o.k. with Joe Rod getting away with that? Maybe that is why he is in trouble? The charter view committee isn't a strong committee. At the end of the day, everything will have to be approved by the commission. I respect Melissa's beliefs that the committee should be independent of the city but that is plain stupid. I think if one wants mote authority they should run for office. Melissa, don't let your mouth overload your hardware. Sit tight and serve your community fairly. The real diarrea is the way you want that committee to be more than what it is. Settle down and do your civic duty and maybe later you can serve on a board with real teeth and that makes real change for Brownsville.

Yes, we all know that everything has to be approved by the commission at the end of the day, so what's the big interest now in "setting parameters" when you can just reject our recommendations once we've made them?

I didn't say we should be independent, I said we should be allowed to review every aspect of the charter and that an agenda and minutes are necessary. What's the harm in that?

Atkinson bores me so I did not even read his entire post - but now I read this

" Sit tight and serve your community fairly. The real diarrea is the way you want that committee to be more than what it is. Settle down and do your civic duty and maybe later you can serve on a board with real teeth and that makes real change for Brownsville."

Charles Atkinson

This is the proof of the fix - no power just rubber stamp -

One big mistake Sorry Charlie - My frustration with the press is its failure to understand its role in preserving our democracy.

Every day there are injustices because people like you seem to believe as an elected official you are above the rule of law. You get away with it when the press fails us.

This is why most corruption is not reported. Normally I would say MZ does not have a chance in hell of succeeding here - but the Press is doing its job - this is what empowers the people -

It is a two step process - it takes someone willing to say basta - (like MZ) - and the willingness of the press to cover it. This type combination is very powerful.

Now the people have your own words that it is all smoke and mirrors. I bet Troiani is at home shaking his head along with his appointee Sossi in disbelief that you actually in substance posted it is all about smoke and mirrors.

I hope Melissa and Emma can make a big deal over the issue of recall -it is in the press now - everyone knows the truth - smoke and mirrors - not allowing a meaningful means for recall will only further destroy this Commissions reputation.

I just hope Emma will be allowed to make your words Headlines for Tuesday - your compadres have to be real pissed at this point.

Atkinson bores me so I did not even read his entire post - but now I read this

" Sit tight and serve your community fairly. The real diarrea is the way you want that committee to be more than what it is. Settle down and do your civic duty and maybe later you can serve on a board with real teeth and that makes real change for Brownsville."

Charles Atkinson

This is the proof of the fix - no power just rubber stamp -

One big mistake Sorry Charlie - My frustration with the press is its failure to understand its role in preserving our democracy.

Every day there are injustices because people like you seem to believe as an elected official you are above the rule of law. You get away with it when the press fails us.

This is why most corruption is not reported. Normally I would say MZ does not have a chance in hell of succeeding here - but the Press is doing its job - this is what empowers the people -

It is a two step process - it takes someone willing to say basta - (like MZ) - and the willingness of the press to cover it. This type combination is very powerful.

Now the people have your own words that it is all smoke and mirrors. I bet Troiani is at home shaking his head along with his appointee Sossi in disbelief that you actually in substance posted it is all about smoke and mirrors.

I hope Melissa and Emma can make a big deal over the issue of recall -it is in the press now - everyone knows the truth - smoke and mirrors - not allowing a meaningful means for recall will only further destroy this Commissions reputation.

I just hope Emma will be allowed to make your words Headlines for Tuesday - your compadres have to be real pissed at this point.

You once again show just how you are out for a story instead of the truth about the real conflict of interest and nepotism. Stick to your topic. What are your views of Chris Davis benefitting from working high school games at BISD under his father-in-law Joe Rod. This is your blog. You have to have a point of view? Which situation is worse? My brother, who doesn't benefit at all or Chris Davis, who gets compensating through the tax payers? Surely a gal who loves the gossip has a professional point of view. Don't you? Inquiring minds want to know.

i am on the charter committe too!!! Why all of a sudden parameters? We were appointed by the commission and now they want us to have parameters to go back on the previous charter that was voted down back in November of 2005 by the citizens of brownsville.

May i remind you, that i am one person on that committee and i will not be a rubber stamp or dictated by the city commission.

I am astonished at the lack of respect this guys expresses toward the citizens of Brownsville. Apparently he doesn't get that he also represents people that don't agree with him. If someone suggests an opinion he disagrees with it is "stupid" and so are they (and he would be right if we bought his "faggot" definition) Now we see that he gives no value to members of the community who volunteer to serve on committees. I'm thinking that Atkinson has just confirmed what has up until now had only the increasingly strong stench of impropriety. That being that the committee is meant to be a rubber stamp to put the thin veneer of approval on a plan that has already been written up. This is just a shopping list for the commission. I mean, Atkinson has already said it doesn't matter what the committee suggests, the commission will do what it wants. Sadly, it looks like at least one member of the committee is taking their responsiblity more seriously then Akinson takes his. Mescalero

From a Captain Bob's Blog comment posted by Charlie Atkinson referring to Chris Davis: "His obcession (sic) with me is freaky. I hope he doesn't like boys."

From his comment above: "I apologize if the word faggot insulted you but you must be enlightened to what I meant. The word faggot in the dictionary means a charred burnt stick. We all know that Chris Davis is as skinny as a twig. With his blog 'sparking' controversy, the word fit for him.(sic)"

I respect Melissa's beliefs that the committee should be independent of the city but that is plain stupid...maybe later you can serve on a board with real teeth and that makes real change for Brownsville.

Commissioner Atkinson,

The city charter is the governing document of our local government, why shouldn't a committee that was put together to recommend changes to it not have any teeth? Are your comments an expression of how you believe things should be, or are they a blunt assessment of how you think they are? If it's the latter, you have a choice in changing that. If it's the former,then your claim that you're not a typical politician is falling short.

Next Tuesday you have the opportunity to not be a typical politician by sticking up for the charter review committee, and urging your fellow commissioners to do so as well.

If you don't value and respect the mission of this committee, why appoint your brother, who you describe as a "sharp individual" with a masters degree, who is "fair" and that you "trust to do the right thing"?

Will you value his commitment, or will you dismiss it by imposing restrictions on the committee's ability to deliberate freely?

He is the confused one and just like all of the Atkinson's. I have worked with and for them. THat is enough to make one physically ill. They are all power hungry and don't have a clue about what they are doing. It is not lack of intellect but common sense and respect for others.

Guys, first - I do appreciate all of the support - I hope this all might lead to me finally being able to form a PFLAG group - there is nothing more powerful than the parent of a LGBT person demanding equality.

Things are getting interesting - I met today with peple who have formed a LGBT group in Brownsville - they are telling me they have a meeting with Pat Almighty on August 28 concerning statements made by Pat which are actualy worse than Sorry Charlie's - I have double confirmation of the story - it will be in tomorrows BV.

As to Sorry Charlie how pathetic to suggest Chris is playing me - if you could read English you would have read I took Chris to task over his interpretation of the Nepotism rule - This means I was on your side.

I hate effeminate men like Atkinson (using the 1612 definition in the Oxford English Dictionary) In 1612 at the time the King James Bible was published it meant cowardly.

Just admit to who you are and please stop hiding behind so called gay friends.

Guys, first - I do appreciate all of the support - I hope this all might lead to me finally being able to form a PFLAG group - there is nothing more powerful than the parent of a LGBT person demanding equality.

Things are getting interesting - I met today with peple who have formed a LGBT group in Brownsville - they are telling me they have a meeting with Pat Almighty on August 28 concerning statements made by Pat which are actualy worse than Sorry Charlie's - I have double confirmation of the story - it will be in tomorrows BV.

As to Sorry Charlie how pathetic to suggest Chris is playing me - if you could read English you would have read I took Chris to task over his interpretation of the Nepotism rule - This means I was on your side.

I hate effeminate men like Atkinson (using the 1612 definition in the Oxford English Dictionary) In 1612 at the time the King James Bible was published it meant cowardly.

Just admit to who you are and please stop hiding behind so called gay friends.

That fact that a city commissioner can say the word faggot and not think there will be some backlash is not very smart. I think Atkinson lets his anger get the best of him and his anger clouded his judgment and that comes across as having no control over his emotions and himself. A good leader is always in control of these things and the city of Brownsville needs to decide if this is the type of leader they want.

"It is even more damaging for ministers to say foolish things than to do them"-Cardinal de Retz

Shocked? I am not. The people of Brownsville are not necessarily racist! They are just ignorant individuals who have never lived outside of their comfort zone, Hispanic Brownsville. They consider themselves big fish, but they are in a very small pond. Let them go to NY, Houston, L.A. and not one iota of attention would be paid to them. I have been around prominent Doctors, Lawyers, Judges, Dentists, Administrators and all of them at one time or another have told jokes, stories, whatever you want to call them and all of them have used inappropriate language. Are they racists? No! Just ignorant un-socialized individuals who think they are somebodies. Ask a 75 year old hispanic woman from Brownsville if she would vote for Barak Obama! It's not that she's racist, it's just her ignorance and her history of not being around any other culture except her own. Ignorance is Bliss! for this town. Our elected leaders are proof!

100 words or less - I think you hit the nail on the head - we must separate out true racism from being poorly educated.

I learned a long time ago having been raised with NYC as my back yard, my sense of people is different from most. I could not image a world without diversity - the smell of the food alone is reason enought to want to embrace everyone.

I feel very fortunate having been exposed to so many cultures. We always loved the food festivals - 100 different nations represented in one street festival -

When I think of the power of diversity I think of all the food and music and colors which come from all the different native garbs.

It is sad so few people have had this experience.

Maybe it is time for Brownsville to discover its true diversity. We do have a large Asian population from India to China. What I would give for good Chinese food.

Then the next day I get a good NY deli breakfast. Then for lunch I go sacreligious by cutting a Knish in half and putting "ham" and cheese in the middle with mustard. I then nuke it. (A knish is kind of a Jewish potato pancake) Then for dinner I will get a real good Calzone - it is typically 4-5 days of endless ethnic food.

There is nothing like a Greek bakery -

I can always count on my brother taking me to the Central American deli - the food is incredible - you can eat for hours and never get bored